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Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours

Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from...

Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monarch of France from the House of Bourbon, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. He pragmatically balanced the interests of the Catholic and Protestant parties in France, as well as among the European states. He was assassinated in Paris in 1610 by a Catholic zealot, and was succeeded by his son Louis XIII.

Henry was baptised a Catholic but raised as a Huguenot in the Protestant faith by his mother, Queen Jeanne III of Navarre. He inherited the throne of Navarre in 1572 on his mother's death.

Historical Significance

Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610.

Key People

Henry IV of France

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Events Before

  1. Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

    Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

  2. Indian Mughal Emperor Akbar defeats Bengali army at the Battle of Tukaroi

    Indian Mughal Emperor Akbar defeats Bengali army at the Battle of Tukaroi

  3. William I of Orange marries 3rd wife Charlotte de Bourbon and former French nun

    William I of Orange marries 3rd wife Charlotte de Bourbon and former French nun

  4. Spanish troops conquer Buren

    Spanish troops conquer Buren

  5. Spanish viceroy Gilles of Hierges attacks Oudewater

    Spanish viceroy Gilles of Hierges attacks Oudewater

Events After

  1. Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later ren

    Francis Drake sets sail from England on an epic three-year circumnavigation of the world aboard the "Pelican," later renamed the "Golden Hind"

  2. King Henri de Bourbon of Navarra becomes leader of the Huguenots

    King Henri de Bourbon of Navarra becomes leader of the Huguenots

  3. Spanish land guardian Don Juan of Habsburg signs the "Eternal Edict"

    Spanish land guardian Don Juan of Habsburg signs the "Eternal Edict"

  4. Spanish army and German mercenaries conquer Namur

    Spanish army and German mercenaries conquer Namur

  5. Peace of Bergerac: Political rights for Huguenots

    Peace of Bergerac: Political rights for Huguenots

More from the 1570s

Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible begins his march to Novgorod

The massacre of Novgorod was an attack launched by Ivan the Terrible's oprichniki on the city of Novgorod, Russia, in 1570.

The Geuzen set fire to the city of Woudrichem

Woudrichem is a city and former municipality in the province of North Brabant in the Netherlands.

Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

Henry III of France marries Louise de Lorraine-Vaudémont.

Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England for heresy and persecution of English Catholics during her reign and

Pius V excommunicates Queen Elizabeth I of England for heresy and persecution of English Catholics during her reign and absolves her subjects from allegiance to the crown

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 5, 1576?
Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monarch of France from the House of Bourbon, a cadet branch of the Capetian dynasty. He pragmatically balanced the interests of the Catholic and Protestant parties in France, as well as among the European states.
Why is Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours significant?
Henry IV (French: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry (le Bon Roi Henri) or Henry the Great (Henri le Grand), was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610.
Who was involved in Henry of Navarre (later Henry IV of France) abjures Catholicism at Tours?
Key figures include Henry IV of France.

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February 5 in HistoryYear 1576